Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai was an enigmatic figure in the martial arts world, serving as one of the main driving sources in the spread of Chinese and Okinawan arts in North America in the 1960’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Grandmaster Pai’s fighting style was developed from years of training in Chinese, Japanese and Okinawan martial arts.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Pai had access to martial arts masters who had moved to the islands from Asia. Pai was trained intensely, while growing up, in his family style of Chinese gong fu by Pai Po Fong ( a descendant of the Shaolin boxer Bai Yu-Feng). Pai also trained other styles there like Kodenkan jujitsu in Hawaii by Sensei H.S. Okazadi.
Pai’s family, having connections in Okinawa, also sent him overseas to a monastery in Okinawa for extensive training in Chinese kempo for 5 years. After returning from service in the Korean war Pai also continued his education with Japanese masters like Gogen Yamaguchi (Gojo-ryu), Mas Oyama (Kyokushinkai) and Morhei Ueshiba (Aikido). Pai’s philosophy was to never stop practicing and learning.